August 25, 2009

Police: Man refused to wait for parade

by ssavage

Police in New Hampshire say a man who drove his car through a barricade, striking a police officer, was angry about his street being closed for a parade.

Investigators said Paul Boucher, 77, refused to wait for the Old Home Day parade in Allenstown to pass before pulling away from his home. He was confronted by an officer as he drove around a barricade, WMUR-TV, Manchester, N.H., reported Tuesday.

He told the officer he was going to go through the parade anyway, Allenstown Police Chief Shaun Mulholland said. The individual cut the wheel, swerving his vehicle around and hit the officer.

Mulholland said an officer was able to grab Boucher's keys and stop his vehicle. He was arrested and charged with felony reckless conduct and felony second-degree assault. He is due back in court Sept. 8.

The injured officer was treated in a hospital for an injury to his right leg, but has since returned to duty, Mulholland said.